India–Norway Maritime Partnership
Context
The partnership was highlighted during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai.
Reflects growing cooperation under India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) (entered into force on October 1, 2025).
Key Themes
1. Maritime and Ocean Cooperation
Both India and Norway are major ocean nations — oceans link their economies, trade, and people.
Aim: Sustainable, secure, and equitable maritime growth.
India–Norway Task Force on Blue Economy (established 2019):
Focus: sustainable ocean management, marine pollution control, green shipping.
Formal India–Norway Ocean Dialogue ongoing.
2. Institutional and Bilateral Frameworks
10th Joint Working Group on Maritime Cooperation (2025, Mumbai) discussed:
Green shipping, maritime security, ship recycling, and training.
TEPA (India–EFTA FTA) enhances trade and maritime collaboration.
India–Nordic Summit (3rd) Oslo— to further strengthen ocean cooperation.
3. Shipbuilding and Green Shipping
India emerging as a major shipbuilding hub:
About 10% of ships ordered by Norwegian Shipowners’ Association are built in India.
Cochin Shipyard Ltd. secured 14 vessel orders from Norway’s Wilson ASA.
Collaboration on environmentally sound ship recycling.
4. Norway’s Green Maritime Vision
Norway aims to reduce emissions from domestic shipping & fisheries by 50% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
Supports IMO’s Net-Zero Framework for global shipping.
(The International Maritime Organization (IMO)'s Net-Zero Framework is a proposed system to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from global shipping, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050)
Innovating with ammonia, hydrogen fuels, and autonomous zero-emission vessels like:
Yara Birkeland – world’s first autonomous container ship.
ASKO ferries – electric vessels.
5. Human Resource & Gender Inclusion
India is the second-largest nationality working aboard Norwegian-controlled ships.
Under TEPA, both countries agreed to facilitate on-board training for seafarers.
Norway supports Maritime SheEO Conference (since 2019) — promoting women’s participation.
Collaboration aims to make the maritime industry more inclusive and future-ready.
6. Strategic Significance
Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal 2047 align with Norway’s sustainable ocean strategy.
The partnership strengthens:
Blue economy cooperation
Green maritime technologies
Skill development and employment generation
Gender inclusion and sustainability
India–Denmark “Green Strategic Partnership (GSP)”
Background
Announced on 28 September 2020 during a Virtual Summit between
PM Narendra Modi and PM Mette Frederiksen.It elevated bilateral relations to a “Green Strategic Partnership”, making Denmark one of the few countries with which India has such a green-focused comprehensive agreement.
The partnership builds on the shared commitment to the Paris Agreement, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and climate neutrality.
Key Areas of Cooperation with Denmark
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
Offshore and onshore wind energy, solar energy, hybrid systems.
Integration of renewable energy into India’s grid.
Collaboration on Power-to-X (hydrogen/ammonia) technologies.
Water Management
Efficient water use, groundwater recharge, and wastewater management.
Implementation under India–Denmark Water Partnership.
Support for Jal Jeevan Mission and urban water solutions.
Sustainable Urbanisation
Smart cities, circular economy, and waste-to-wealth initiatives.
Collaboration under the Nordic Sustainable Cities Programme.
Key Facts
The 1st India-Nordic Summit was held in Stockholm in April 2018.
The 2nd Summit occurred on 4 May 2022 in Copenhagen.
3rd India- Nordic Summit in Oslo, Norway 2025
2021: Denmark joined India’s Mission Innovation 2.0 initiative.
Member countries: India + five Nordic countries – Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland.
At the 2022 Summit: India and the Nordic countries reaffirmed support for a rules-based international order, including reform of the United Nations Security Council and the World Trade Organization.
The Summit emphasised cooperation in innovation, digitalisation, clean technologies, maritime solutions, blue economy, and sustainable development.
Nordic countries collectively endorsed India’s aspirations for a permanent seat in a reformed UN Security Council.
Key Declarations & Outcomes
In the Joint Statement of 2022: the leaders “pledged to continue to deepen cooperation … and focused discussions on … green transition and climate change, the blue economy, innovation and digitalisation.”
At the 2018 Summit, the “Nordic Sustainable Cities Project” was launched/energised to support India’s Smart Cities programme, drawing on Nordic experience in urban infrastructure and clean tech.
In the 2025 summit A major outcome was the launch of the India Nordic Dialogue for Investments in Climate Action (INDICA) in Oslo. This initiative aims to connect Nordic investors with Indian policymakers and project developers to boost climate investments.
Prelims Practice MCQ
Q. With reference to India’s engagement with the Nordic countries, consider the following statements:
The Nordic countries form a part of the Arctic Council, of which India is an observer.
The India–Nordic partnership has discussed Arctic research and sustainable resource utilization.
India and the Nordic countries have signed a collective Free Trade Agreement under the European Union framework.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: (a)
Explanation:
All five Nordic countries — Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden — are members of the Arctic Council, and India is an observer since 2013 → ✔ (1).
Arctic and climate cooperation (research, sustainable use of resources) is part of the India–Nordic agenda → ✔ (2).
No collective FTA exists; Nordic countries negotiate trade via EFTA and EU separately, not as a Nordic bloc → ✖ (3).
Q. The term “Power-to-X” seen in the context of the India–Denmark Green Strategic Partnership refers to:
(a) Conversion of renewable electricity into hydrogen or other energy carriers.
(b) Decentralised micro-grid generation system.
(c) Carbon capture and storage using ocean sinks.
(d) A system of nuclear fusion energy generation.
✅ Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Power-to-X = Conversion of renewable electricity (Power) to other forms (X) such as hydrogen, synthetic fuels, or ammonia for storage and transport.
Q. With reference to the India–Denmark Green Strategic Partnership, consider the following statements:
It was established to promote green growth and sustainable development through cooperation in renewable energy and water management.
Denmark is the first Nordic country with which India has signed a Green Strategic Partnership.
The partnership framework includes collaboration on green hydrogen and circular economy.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅ Answer: (d)
Explanation:
All statements are correct — GSP (2020) is comprehensive, covers energy, water, hydrogen, circular economy, and Denmark was the first country in this category.